House Bill 484

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972,
TO PROHIBIT PERSONS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE FROM OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE
ON A HIGHWAY WHILE USING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE TO SEND OR RECEIVE A
WRITTEN MESSAGE WHILE THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

(2) (a) A person who is * * *
authorized to drive under an intermediate
license, a temporary learning permit or a temporary driving permitunder
eighteen (18) years of age shall not operate a motor vehicle on a highway
while using a wireless communication device to send or receive a written
message while the motor vehicle is in motion.

(b) A person shall not
use a wireless communication device while operating a passenger bus with a
minor passenger on the bus, except for an emergency or, in the case of a
school bus driver, for official school business or in an emergency.

(3) This section does not
apply to any of the following:

(a) Law enforcement
and safety personnel;

(b) Drivers of
authorized emergency vehicles;

(c) A person who is
reporting reckless or negligent behavior;

(d)A person
who believes that the person or another person is in physical danger;

(e) Written messages
sent or received while the vehicle is parked;

(f) The use of a
wireless communication device for the sole purpose of communicating with any of
the following regarding an emergency situation:

(i) An emergency
response or E911 operator;

(ii) A hospital,
physician's office or health clinic;

(iii) A provider
of ambulance services;

(iv) A provider
of fire fighting services;

(v) A law
enforcement agency;

(g) The use of
technology utilizing a cellular connection to a vehicle to relay vehicle
operational information between the vehicle and a call center or repair
facility; and

(4) (a) A violation of
this section is a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, is punishable by a fine not
to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(b) If the person
violates this section at the time that he is involved in a motor vehicle
accident, then the violation is punishable by a fine not to exceed One Thousand
Dollars ($1,000.00).

(c) A law enforcement
officer investigating a motor vehicle accident in which a person is cited for
violating subsection (2)(a) or (b) of this section shall indicate on the
written accident report the use of a wireless communication device in violation
of this section at the time of the accident.

SECTION 2. This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.